LHS Softball Fields Returned to Rightful Owner – Ellen Mahoney

Ledyard Public Schools will name the high school softball complex after long time standout coach Ellen Mahoney, announced LHS Athletic Director James Buonocore. The dedication ceremony will take place on Sat. May 4 at 3:00 p.m. before the Colonels take on Griswold High School.

Mahoney started the softball program at Ledyard in 1976. Over the course of her illustrious career, she recorded 355 wins, 7 state championships, and 12 Eastern Connecticut Conference Championships. At one point, her teams held a 105 game win streak.  

Joan Disco, a Board of Education member and former player for Coach Mahoney said that playing for her was “pretty amazing.” Disco joined the team her junior year and Mahoney even gave her her first softball glove.

“It was a huge encouragement for me, that was just a huge incentive for me.” said Disco. 

She described Mahoney as a very positive coach and her knowledge of the game commanded respect.

“She seemed to know all the positions,” said Disco who said that Mahoney was able to teach players how to bat, pitch, catch and on and on. “When she started coaching, she was it and she knew every aspect of the game.”

Mahoney retired from coaching softball at Ledyard High School in 1997 and retired as a physical education teacher at the high school in 2007. She went on to be an assistant coach for the UConn softball.

“No one in the history of Ledyard High School Athletics is more deserving of this honor than Ellen Mahoney,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Graner. “She is a true role model as a coach, constantly demanding the best from her athletes and consistently being rewarded with success. On and off the field, Ellen embodied the qualities of hard work, perseverance, and fair play.”

• In 1989, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 Mahoney received a Special Congressional Recognition for softball. 
  
• She was named Amateur Baseball Woman of the Year by the U.S. Baseball Federation in 1992. 
  
• In 1994 she was named Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance Female Coach of the Year. 
  
• In 1996 was inducted into the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame. 
  
• In 2009 Mahoney was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Hall of Fame. 
  

“I am very happy for Ellen Mahoney. As an educator and coach she is an inspiration to all student-athletes in Ledyard Public Schools, past and present,” said Buonocore.” She is a fine example of how hard work, dedication, and attention to detail equates to success. This honor allows us to connect the storied past of Ellen and her softball program to our current and future Ledyard High School student-athletes.”